Nanostructured tubular materials and their composites: a review of applications in tissue repair and dentistry

Abstract

Biomaterials have been explored as promising tools in restorative medicine and dentistry because of their versatility and unique properties, such as biocompatibility and high surface area. Nanotubes (NTs) are a type of material that displays intriguing features for biomedical applications, including biocompatibility, excellent mechanical and chemical stability, antimicrobial activity, and distinctive physico-chemical characteristics. The properties of NTs vary depending on the chemical elements in their structure, such as carbon, boron, or titanium. This review discusses the synthesis, characterization, and in vitro and in vivo testing of NTs to assess their biological performance. Although NTs show significant potential for many biological uses, challenges remain in their purification and establishing biological safety for implanted biomedical materials. Additionally, the scarcity of in vivo studies slows down their clinical application. This review highlights the latest advances in NTs for these purposes and emphasizes how this innovative material can enhance restorative medicine and dentistry.

KEYWORDS

Biological applications; Biomaterials; Dentistry; Nanotubes; Tissue repair.